Identity theft today is

Identity theft today is, according to the FBI, one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. Roughly 10 million Americans have had their identities stolen. It is a huge epidemic.

So how does it happen? How can a thief steal highly confidential, personal data without you knowing about it?

Here are the some of the more common ways you can be parted from information you wouldn't want to get in the wrong hands.

1. Dumpster Diving.

This is simply a crook wading through your trash. All sorts of information can be obtained by going through your garbage. Bills, receipts, letters, etc. This is probably the easiest way for a thief to pick up on sensitive information.

2. Phishing

This is where the thief pretends to be a legitimate financial institution or company and sends you emails (spam) or some pop-up messages, trying to get you to reveal your sensitive information. They may even telephone you at home, using blocked numbers.

3. Old-Fashioned Stealing.

Crooks will steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.

So how can you get around this, and prevent your confidential information from getting into the wrong hands? Here are a few common sense tips to try and offset the above:
• Shred your sensitive documents BEFORE you throw them out. When you pay bills, shred the piece you would normally throw out. Credit card receipts? Keep them just long enough to check against the monthly bill, shred them and THEN throw them out. As for pre-approved credit card offers, unless you are actually going to sign up for the card, shred the offer immediately and then throw it out.

• No legitimate organization is going to email you, telephone you or write you a letter asking for personal information. If you are asked to provide confidential information in any of these manners, do not even reply. Delete the email, shred the letter, hang up the telephone. Do not reply to any of these phishing methods under any circumstances.
• Use common sense to help prevent theft. Keep your wallet in your front pocket; use an over-the-shoulder bag which won't easily be pulled off; get your mail o
ut of the mailbox as soon as you know the mailman has delivered it.

Trying to stay one step ahead of today's sophisticated criminal mind is not easy. In addition to taking the above steps, you also might want to consider an identity theft prevention program. They are all different, so be sure to do some research before signing up with any of them. The small fees they charge, however, could be well worth the peace of mind from knowing that your credit and good name are well protected.